Lemon Balm: Benefits, Uses and Precautions

Dr. Boris Wydoff

Lemon balm is a fragrant perennial herb with a distinct lemon scent. According to herbal medicine reference books, it has traditionally been used in calming teas to ease nervous tension, sleep disturbances, and spasms in the digestive tract. Its leaves are used both to make drinks and in cooking. However, even a familiar herb is not suitable for everyone, so it is important to consider precautions and possible interactions with medications.

What Is Lemon Balm, and How Can You Identify It?

Lemon balm (*Melissa officinalis*) belongs to the mint family. It is also known as balm, sweet balm, and bee balm. The last name comes from the fact that the plant attracts bees.

This is a perennial herbaceous plant. Depending on growing conditions, it reaches about 30–80 centimeters in height. It has a branched rootstock and upright or slightly spreading stems. The stems are ridged and often covered with fine hairs.

The leaves grow on stalks. They are oval-shaped, with clearly toothed edges. To the touch, lemon balm leaves are softer than those of many similar-looking plants. If you gently rub a leaf between your fingers, it releases its characteristic lemon scent.

The flowers are small. They may be white, yellowish-white, pinkish-white, or tinged with blue. They grow in clusters where the upper leaves meet the stem. Flowering usually lasts from June through August.

Lemon balm is sometimes confused with catnip, which can also smell like lemon. According to T. B. Fursa, catnip has larger leaves, and its flowers grow in spike-like clusters. So scent alone is not enough to identify the plant with confidence.

Lemon balm is thought to have originated in the eastern Mediterranean and Asia Minor. Today, it is grown in gardens and vegetable plots in many countries. The plant is used as an aromatic addition to tea and food, as well as a source of medicinal plant material.

What Benefits of Lemon Balm Are Described in Herbal Reference Books?

Lemon balm contains essential oil, tannins, mucilage, and other compounds. Reference books also describe citral, citronellal, linalool, and geraniol. The composition and amounts of individual components can vary depending on growing and harvesting conditions.

According to herbal medicine reference books, the main traditional uses of lemon balm are associated with its calming and antispasmodic effects. This does not mean the plant can treat a medical condition on its own. Traditional use of an herb and proven effectiveness for a specific treatment are two different things.

How Is Lemon Balm Related to Nervous Tension and Sleep?

Herbal reference books describe lemon balm as a calming remedy. It has traditionally been included in tea blends used for nervous tension and insomnia.

The pleasant lemon flavor of the drink is especially well known. For many people, herbal tea becomes part of a relaxing evening routine. But one cup should not be expected to eliminate insomnia or relieve anxiety.

If sleep problems keep coming back, it is important to understand their causes. They may be related to chronic stress, pain, medical conditions, or medications. In such cases, tea may be a helpful addition, but it is not a substitute for medical care.

Can Lemon Balm Be Used for Bloating?

According to herbal medicine reference books, lemon balm has traditionally been used as a carminative and antispasmodic remedy. Herbal guides mention its use for intestinal bloating and spasms in the digestive tract.

Its traditional uses also include colic associated with trapped gas and nausea related to nervous tension.

However, bloating can have many different causes. It may be associated with dietary habits, intolerance to certain foods, or digestive disorders. Lemon balm cannot identify the cause of your symptoms and does not replace medical evaluation if discomfort persists or gets worse.

What Is Known About Using Lemon Balm for Palpitations?

Some herbal guides recommend lemon balm for nervous tension accompanied by palpitations. Older reference books also describe its traditional use for arrhythmia and claim that it affects the heart muscle.

These accounts should be understood as descriptions of traditional herbal medicine. They do not prove that lemon balm treats heart rhythm disorders or can replace prescribed medication.

If palpitations occur for the first time, become frequent, or are accompanied by chest pain, shortness of breath, severe weakness, or fainting, you need medical evaluation. If you experience sudden severe chest pain, severe shortness of breath, or loss of consciousness, call emergency services.

Can Lemon Balm Be Used for Menstrual Discomfort?

Reference books describe the traditional use of lemon balm for painful periods. Its antispasmodic properties are considered a possible basis for this use.

However, painful periods can be associated with various conditions that require medical evaluation. If your pain is worse than usual, comes with unusual bleeding, or interferes with daily life, do not rely on herbal tea alone.

What Else Has Lemon Balm Traditionally Been Used For?

Older reference books list other uses, including dizziness, migraine, skin rashes, and certain nervous system disorders. Some European accounts also attribute wound-healing properties to lemon balm.

But a list of traditional uses is not the same as a list of proven therapeutic effects. You cannot apply the results of studies on one preparation to every homemade infusion or assume that the plant is suitable for all the conditions mentioned.

Topical products also require caution when used for skin problems, as plant compounds can cause irritation and allergic reactions.

Lemon Balm: How Is It Used Today?

In everyday life, lemon balm is most often used as an aromatic addition to tea. Its fresh or dried leaves are also used in cooking.

The plant has a mild lemon scent, making it a good choice for flavoring drinks and certain dishes. Reference books describe lemon balm as a popular culinary herb that is grown in gardens throughout the summer.

In herbal medicine, the leaves have traditionally been used to prepare water-based infusions. Reference books also mention ready-made lemon balm preparations, while its essential oil is associated with the production of aromatic and cosmetic products.

For home use, it is important to distinguish between a food ingredient, ordinary tea, and a concentrated herbal preparation. They contain different concentrations of plant compounds and have different instructions for use. Being natural does not mean that every amount is safe.

How Should You Brew Lemon Balm?

Many people want to know how to brew lemon balm while preserving its characteristic aroma. In Y. Grau's reference book, the recommended amount of leaves for an infusion is two teaspoons. However, the specific volume of water and steeping time are not given for this recipe, so arbitrary proportions should not be presented as an exact recommendation from the reference book.

To prepare a drink, use clean plant material intended for food or the appropriate medicinal use. If you have purchased lemon balm from a pharmacy, follow the instructions for that specific product.

Do not increase the strength of the infusion in the hope of getting a stronger effect. The safety of high doses and long-term use has not been studied sufficiently.

How Should You Drink Lemon Balm Tea?

Reference books describe lemon balm tea as a traditional calming drink. Its pleasant lemon flavor makes it enjoyable on its own or combined with other aromatic herbs, provided the combination is suitable for you.

T. B. Fursa's book includes a tea blend made with equal parts mint, lemon balm, thyme, oregano, and German chamomile. This describes the composition of a blend, not a universal prescription for insomnia or another medical condition.

If you take medication, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before regularly drinking medicinal herbal blends. This is especially important if you use sleeping pills or sedatives.

How Is an Infusion Different from a Decoction?

An infusion and a decoction are different ways of preparing plant material. To make an infusion, the plant material is covered with hot water and left for a specified period. To make a decoction, the plant material is heated in water according to the recipe.

Older herbal guides describe different ways to prepare lemon balm, but they do not always provide the same level of detail about proportions and heating times. So not every recipe you find should be considered suitable for every situation.

For an ordinary aromatic drink, it makes sense to follow clear instructions on the packaging of food-grade plant material. For medicinal use, follow the specific instructions for the preparation and consult a healthcare professional.

Lemon balm essential oil should not be treated as equivalent to a water-based infusion. It is a concentrated product that requires its own precautions. Do not take it internally as though it were tea.

Can Lemon Balm Be Used for Gastritis?

Reference books describe lemon balm as a plant traditionally used for certain functional digestive complaints, including spasms and bloating. However, this does not establish that it treats gastritis or heals the stomach lining.

Gastritis can have different causes, and treatment depends on the diagnosis. Do not replace prescribed medication with lemon balm infusion or change your treatment plan on your own.

If you want to drink lemon balm tea while you have gastritis, discuss it with your doctor, especially if you have significant pain or nausea or are taking medication at the same time. The herbal drink may serve only as an addition to your prescribed treatment if your healthcare professional considers it appropriate. Do not stop taking your medication or change your doses on your own.

Can Lemon Balm Be Used for High Blood Pressure?

Some older herbal guides mention lemon balm among the plants traditionally used for fluctuations in blood pressure. T. B. Fursa's book also includes a claim that it lowers blood pressure.

However, these traditional accounts do not justify treating lemon balm as a way to control hypertension. You cannot predict how a particular person will respond to the tea, and it should not be used instead of prescribed treatment.

If you have high blood pressure, continue to follow your doctor's recommendations. Before regularly using lemon balm in medicinal amounts, discuss it with a healthcare professional, especially if you take blood pressure medication or other drugs. Herbal tea does not replace treatment, and you should not change your prescribed medication.

How Should You Harvest and Store Lemon Balm?

Lemon balm is grown in gardens and vegetable plots. It prefers sunny locations and loose, fertile soil. Reference books note that under suitable conditions, the plant forms lush clumps from which leaves can be harvested throughout the summer.

The main harvesting period described in reference books is during flowering. Depending on the region and growing conditions, this is usually June–August.

The leaves are the main part used for medicinal preparations. Older botanical literature recommends drying them quickly, in the shade, with good ventilation. This helps preserve the plant's characteristic aroma.

When harvesting, pay attention to the cleanliness of the area. Do not collect herbs near busy roads, industrial sites, or other places where the plant material may become contaminated. Only collect plants you can identify with confidence.

After drying, the leaves must be protected from moisture. A clean, dry container with a tightly fitting lid works well. Keep it in a dry place away from direct sunlight. If the plant material becomes damp, develops an unusual smell, or grows mold, do not use it.

Do not mix lemon balm with unidentified plants in the same container. Label your supplies with the plant name and harvest date. This helps prevent mix-ups and allows you to keep track of storage time.

How to Find Lemon Balm Abroad

In the United States and Europe, lemon balm is sold mainly as dried leaves for making infusions. To find a suitable product, look for the plant's name and check the packaging.

What the plant is called:

• United States — lemon balm, also balm, sweet balm, or melissa.
• Germany — Zitronenmelisse; medicinal leaves are labeled Melissenblätter.
• France — mélisse officinale, also mélisse citronnelle.
• Latin name — *Melissa officinalis* L.

Forms in which it is sold:

• Loose dried leaves for making infusions.
• Tea bags.
• Liquid tinctures and hydroalcoholic extracts.
• Capsules and tablets containing leaf powder or extract.

Where to look:

• United States — pharmacies, health food stores, herbal shops, tea shops, and online tea and supplement stores.
• Germany — pharmacies (Apotheke), Reformhaus health food stores, tea shops, and online stores.
• France — pharmacies (pharmacie), organic food stores, herbalists, and tea shops.

What to check on the packaging:

• The Latin name *Melissa officinalis* L. and the plant part used — leaf (folium).
• The product category: tea, medicinal herbal product, or dietary supplement.
• For extracts — the solvent, the ratio of plant material to extract, and standardization.
• Organic certification, if relevant.

Rules vary by country. In the United States, lemon balm supplements are not approved by the FDA to treat diseases. In Germany and France, it is important to check the product's legal category and the claims made about it.

Lemon Balm: Contraindications and Precautions

In ordinary food amounts and when used for short periods as part of tea, lemon balm is generally well tolerated. However, the safety of regularly taking large doses or using it for extended periods has not been studied sufficiently.

Possible adverse reactions include drowsiness, headache, dizziness, nausea, abdominal discomfort, and allergic reactions. Topical lemon balm products can also cause skin irritation. The following situations require particular attention.

• Pregnancy and breastfeeding. There is insufficient information about the safety of medicinal use of lemon balm. Do not use it in medicinal doses without a doctor's recommendation.
• Thyroid conditions. There are theoretical concerns about lemon balm's possible effects on thyroid hormone activity. If you have a thyroid condition, especially if you take levothyroxine, consult your doctor beforehand.
• Sleeping pills and sedatives. Combining lemon balm with medications that depress the central nervous system may increase drowsiness. Caution is also needed when consuming alcohol.
• Driving. If a drink or preparation causes drowsiness or dizziness, do not drive or operate dangerous equipment.
• Glaucoma. If you have this condition, discuss the use of medicinal lemon balm preparations with your doctor because of theoretical concerns about intraocular pressure.
• Children. Medicinal use of lemon balm in children is subject to age restrictions. European recommendations indicate that lemon balm leaf preparations intended for medicinal purposes are for adults and children over 12 years of age. For younger children, safety should be discussed with a doctor.

The absence of known serious complications during ordinary use does not prove that every dose is safe. Information about high doses and long-term use is limited. Regular use of concentrated extracts and other supplements should be discussed with a doctor or pharmacist.

If you have a chronic condition or take several medications, do not start a course of herbal treatment on your own. It is important to consider not only the lemon balm itself but also the ingredients in a ready-made blend, the dosage, and possible interactions between its components.

When Should You See a Doctor?

Lemon balm should never be a reason to delay medical care. See a doctor if insomnia, anxiety, palpitations, abdominal pain, or other unpleasant symptoms persist, keep returning, or get worse.

If you notice signs of an allergic reaction, stop using the herbal product. If you develop swelling of the tongue or throat, difficulty breathing, or a rapidly worsening severe reaction, call emergency services immediately.

Before using lemon balm for medicinal purposes, consult a healthcare professional if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, choosing a product for a child, have a thyroid condition, or take sleeping pills or other medications that cause drowsiness.

Palpitations accompanied by chest pain, severe shortness of breath, fainting, or sudden severe weakness require urgent medical attention. Do not try to manage these symptoms with herbal tea alone.

If your doctor has prescribed treatment for a chronic condition, do not stop taking your medication or replace it with lemon balm. If appropriate, it can be considered only as a possible addition to your treatment, with your healthcare professional's approval.

Boris Wydoff — naturopath and author, Ph.D. in nutrition. For over fifty years I have helped people restore health through nutrition, cleansing and the power of the mind — in Europe, America and Asia. About the author →

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